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Michelan Le'Monier, Class of 2018

Major: Creative Writing Major
Minors: Acting & Arts Management
Career Interest: Creating and running an arts organization, acting in small play companies, and publishing writing on the side.

Why did you get involved in the WGL program and what interested you about the program?
“I got involved in the WGL program because they offered great workshops that are actually useful to me (sometimes more useful than some classes I am taking) and in exchange for attending these workshops, I am able to partner with a mentor in my field who teaches me things before I even start my career. It's a great way to see if I really want this career, what obstacles I should consider, and the benefits.”

What have you gained or learned from being involved in WGL?
“I have learned so much being apart of this program. I learned how to conduct an informational interview, how to perfect my resume, how to talk professionally.... the list is endless.”

How was your experience working with your mentor; what did you learn or gain from that experience?
“I learned a lot about my fields and what to think about when pursuing them, I learned how to tailor my resumes to fit the job I'm applying for, and so much more. I also gained a chance to network with other people who I may work with in the future.”

Jordan Smith, Class of 2015 and 2017

Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
Master’s Degree in Organizational Performance & Technology
Career Interest: Career Counselor, Career Coach

Why did you get involved in the WGL program and what interested you about the program?
“I got involved with the WGL program after learning that there was an opportunity to get paired with a mentor in your interested career field. I knew having a chance to experience a mentorship would greatly help me with my professional goals. I remember thinking this would be a good chance to increase my network in my industry and have someone to reach out to for advice as I start out as a professional.”

What have you gained or learned from being involved in WGL?
“Some of the biggest takeaways from the WGL program all revolve around how to network effectively. I can recall from the program’s networking workshop, learning how to work a room during a networking event. This included getting a chance to practice building my confidence to take the initiative and ask for business cards from connections I just made. Then further into the program, I got my first experience with conducting informational interviews with a professional I had never met before. From that experience, I really learned the art of using technology to build a connection with someone you are just meeting for the first time. Those experiences of talking to my mentor over Skype really helped me when it came to in the future, having to Skype with a committee for an interview that eventually would be for the career I am currently in.”

How was your experience working with your mentor; what did you learn or gain from that experience?
“I could not ask for a better experience working with my mentor. She was incredibly welcoming, very willing to share her knowledge and wisdom, and she made the whole overall experience very fun. My mentor answered all my career-related questions, which helped me tremendously with deciding what I wanted to do for a career. Furthermore, she took the time to review my resume and gave me many useful tips to enhance my document. She was also willing to go above and beyond for me as a mentor. Not only did she come to SUNY Potsdam to meet me in-person for the WGL luncheon, but she also invited me to her house during that summer for an incredible opportunity to come to her work and network with her colleagues. The invitation alone taught me the possibilities that can occur when you take the time to build connection with your network. To this day, my mentor and I continue to communicate regularly, and I could not be more grateful to have such an outstanding person as my mentor!”